Monday, May 19, 2008

Fencing it out, fighting back, Digging in

With the second quarter of bigger anti-administration gatherings, marches and rallies, not to mention tri-media affirmative and complementary actions, it is worth watching what the Malacañang strategists would do. It is good to foresee what plans they will draw, what programs they will follow and what projects they will implement. All these official counter and remedial actions are in the context and resolve of the ruling administration that simply letting go of power—and all the immense fringe benefits and lavish gratuities that go therewith—is a detestable option.

There are marked indications that it will adopt the following consecutive three-step calibrated response, which the administration has somehow already adopted before—except the last one in its stark reality. First is fencing it out with the “enemies of the State”. Second is fighting them back. Third is digging itself in. And what happens thereafter is anybody’s guess.

Fencing it out with the “enemies of the State”—which has already started—comes usually in terms of explanatory answers, defensive comments, flattering observations if not downright insulting words plus name calling. This skirmish mode is both understandable and acceptable only if Malacañang hires a good script writer, does not fool around with the common sense of the people—and on proviso that insults and brandings are not overdone lest these boomerang on its loyal apologists and eventually on Malacañang itself.

Fighting back comes in terms of some policemen running after the “enemies of the State” with their shields and sticks swinging, and having the fire trucks backing them up as customary. This is not to mention the APCs that will appear here and there. And there will be the fearsome and threatening appearance of some AFP trucks carrying soldiers in full battle gear. The big setback of this scene is that the rallying and marching people are not even against the PNP or the AFP—in addition to the fact that they have but hands to raise, mouths to speak and banners to wave.

Digging in to take cover from the “enemies of the State” is something quite interesting to watch out for. It can be safely predicted that there will be much bigger and many more container vans used to block all entrances to and possible even exits from the Palace—these of course in addition to well arranged barbwires, cement blocks, army trucks and tanks even with a good number of AFP people augmenting the PSG force. This is not to mention that a helicopter every now and then—and a fighter plane or two if any could still fly—will be hovering over the Palace. And of course, the Pasig River too will have to be secured.

Are all the above scenes but a fairy tale, simply a plain drawing or merely a bad prophecy? Of course, they could well be. But on the other hand, there really could be the progressive chapters in the difficult plight of the present administration that is finding it harder and harder to govern the nation, to appease the people, to calm the resentful and disgusted otherwise patient and forgiving people. It bears watching what happens next.

Oscar Cruz

About The Blogger

Most Reverend Oscar V. Cruz, D.D. is the Archbishop-Emeritus of Lingayen-Dagupan. He is currently the Judicial Vicar of the National Tribunal of Appeals. He is a prolific writer, having published several dozen books mostly on judicial and moral matters. His most recent book is about the Social Doctrines of the Church. He also has a blog where he posts regularly. He is an avid coin collector and dabbles in woodworking art.